Speaking with Hell's Kitchen Runner Up Petrozza

Always a Gentleman, Petrozza Bows Out Gracefully

Many of you were disappointed by the outcome of the Hell's Kitchen season finale. Gordon Ramsay chose the young, inexperienced blonde over the seasoned, bearded male. I wasn't surprised by his decision, but I was bummed for Petrozza. Over the course of the fifteen episodes, he's the one character who I actually admired and enjoyed. Yesterday morning I spoke with the optimistic caterer, who chatted with me while he sat on his front porch nursing a soda. To see what he had to say, read more.

PartySugar: How did it feel to be the last person eliminated?
Petrozza: You know what, I feel happy and a little tired. Would I have rather won? Yeah, I would be lying if I didn't say I wanted to win. I'm accepting it. I like where I am. I love my job and my family. There are a lot of awesome opportunities out there for me and I'll find something interesting to do.PartySugar: What was it like working for Ramsay?
Petrozza: At the beginning, working for Gordon sucked. I can understand how the people who got kicked off early would have nothing nice to say. They probably see him as a butthead in the kitchen. But, once you know the guy and you know yourself, you see he is a decent person. He's not a total moron, you get to appreciate him. He's a cool guy, with a big heart. He's a maniac in the kitchen, but he's a good man.

PartySugar: At the end of the episode, Ramsay grabbed you and said something. What did he tell you?
Petrozza: He said, "it's going to be okay Petrozza" and I said, "I'm okay, I'm okay." I was happy to be done with the challenge of HK. I ran with the pack and ended up out in front, right behind the winner. It sucks a little, but I'm very happy with the people I met along the way. Everybody was super cool and super nice to me.

PartySugar: Is there anything you would have done differently?
Petrozza: They didn't show it on last night's episode, but I would have cooked my ducks less. I would have done the lobster strudel differently. I would have not had Jen on that station, although I think she would have screwed me wherever she was. Not consciously, but she can't change herself, she can't help herself. I'm not using her as an excuse to why I didn't win. But I'm happy, being on HK gave me more confidence. My style of cooking has taken a little bit of a turn. Now I'm more adventurous when pairing foods. I learned that what's good for the soul is good for the heart and good for the career.

PartySugar: A lot of people think you have a great heart. What's your response to this?
Petrozza: I'm very fortunate. I have a good family, good parents, good people around me all the time. I'm blessed to be thought of in that way. Hopefully I showed everyone that you don't have to be a backstabber, you don't have to be sneaky to get far in the game.

I'm not a very social person and I wouldn't say this about just anyone, but I'd love to sit down and split a bottle of wine with Petrozza. I think he'd be easy to talk to and a very interesting person. I hope he gets some great opportunities because he deserves the best.

Hopefully I showed everyone that you don't have to be a backstabber, you don't have to be sneaky to get far in the game.
So true. If only every contestant would have this attitude! Petrozza maintained his integrity throughout the show and his talent spoke for itself. I'm sure his door is being knocked down right now with amazing opportunities.

So now Jen can show future employers a non-existent Gordon Ramsay letter of recommendation and Petrozza just has to pass out copies of this season of Hell's Kitchen. He's a rare breed that played the reality television game honestly, he'll be missed.

"Hopefully I showed everyone that you don't have to be a backstabber, you don't have to be sneaky to get far in the game."He certainly did. I am proud to have been rooting for him. I think it was the week that Petrozza nominated himself that really stuck out in my mind as him being a totally stand-up guy in a field of backbiters and schemers. In particular, Jen really was poisonous during that challenge. What a horrible woman. I have no doubt he'll bounce back, and I think he's one of very few contestants who came across as positive on the show: being on HK won't hurt his employability one bit.

"Hopefully I showed everyone that you don't have to be a backstabber, you don't have to be sneaky to get far in the game."
He certainly did. I am proud to have been rooting for him. I think it was the week that Petrozza nominated himself that really stuck out in my mind as him being a totally stand-up guy in a field of backbiters and schemers. In particular, Jen really was poisonous during that challenge. What a horrible woman. I have no doubt he'll bounce back, and I think he's one of very few contestants who came across as positive on the show: being on HK won't hurt his employability one bit.

I was so sad that he didn't win. His dishes were more appealing to me and he got his more complicated menu out faster. I especially loved how he handled his brigade. He seems like a really good guy and I hope something fabulous comes his way!